Energy company has billed me for more than six years of energy use.

[Spider2021]

Bit of background. I have not paid energy bills since 2014 when First Utility mixed up my meter with someone else's with the previous supplier. Ombudsman etc etc. Anyway now they are owned by Shell and Shell have sent a bill for over six years of energy use after they came and read the meter last year. I have pointed this out to them and stating that I am refusing to pay it and they are insisting that I pay and that this is not a new complaint.
I was wondering if I can do the following.
1. Open up a new complaint with them stating that they have billed me for more than six years of energy use and that is not allowed.
2. Since the billing is incorrect, I can then insist that the back billing rule be applied and that they can bill me for one year of energy use.

Any help appreciated.

[DE DOGS]

I am sure that they can only backdate for one year My Daughter had this problem.

[Spider2021]

Yes but Shell want me to believe otherwise.

[R0b]

I assume you still have all your evidence from the Ombudsman when you raised the complaint? Would be useful to know the outcome of that decision and what steps First Utility had to take to correct it.

Anyway, yes you could raise a complaint and if they refuse to look into it then go back to the Ombudsman. If First Utility were on notice of the meter mix up and you can prove that, but they did nothing to remedy the problem and correctly bill you, then Shell don't have much of a leg to stand on as far as I'm concerned. Their repeated demands for the 6 years backdated may constitute harassment in line with the British Gas v Ferguson case - if you are not aware, worth a read.

Be mindful, Shell may try to force your hand by reporting adverse entries to your credit file for non-payment and at that stage you may wish to consider taking legal action to force their hand and come clean or defend it.